Boingo is a global provider of Wi-Fi, distributed antenna systems and small cell services with access to more than 1 million Wi-Fi hot spots in more than 90 countries connecting more than 22.8 million users. The company deploys its network in multiuser venues such as shopping malls, airports, restaurants, stadiums, universities and military bases. The company builds and manages its own network as well as leverages third-party networks through roaming agreements. In 2014, Boingo generated approximately $81 million in Wi-Fi revenue out of a total $119 million.
Wi-Fi strategy
Voice is not a core component of Boingo’s offerings since Wi-Fi networks are optimized for video and data, which are less sensitive to delays. To enable fast switching on access point controllers to improve voice support, 802.11R and 802.11K are needed. There is still a challenge in seamlessly going from cellular to Wi-Fi and Wi-Fi to cellular. Mobile network operators are leveraging third-party services such as Taqua solutions to address that challenge. Such solutions require integration of Taqua’s voice-over Wi-Fi product into the mobile operator’s core network and may also require a client for the mobile device.
Wi-Fi offloading is taking off in some markets such as South Korea, but not as fast in other markets. Since 58% of all wireless data uses Wi-Fi networks, Boingo is not really focused on that segment in particular. Most of Boingo’s services are offered indoors so the company is focused on improving indoor coverage via Wi-Fi, small cells or distributed antenna systems, depending on the specific venue needs.
Wi-Fi network
Boingo’s Wi-Fi network is deployed using 802.11, a, b, g, m and n technologies and the company is currently upgrading its access points to 802.11ac using unlicensed spectrum. The network consists of a mixture of different technologies as a result of partners’ roaming agreements and leveraging existing networks. The company connects to operators through their back-end systems such as the RADIUS or home subscriber server. MNOs RADIUS servers send requests to Boingo’s RADIUS/HSS servers, which uses EAP-AKA and EAP-SIM certificates to authenticate the users. Boingo’s servers identify the various MNO’s based on the device international mobile subscriber ID, which is a 15-digit mobile operator ID. The IMSI provides details from the mobile subscribers’ home location register to enable authentication and billing to the appropriate network operator.
Boingo’s plan is to migrate its network architecture to a more virtualized environment and, where possible, starting with the access point controllers. In January, the company started its secure, multi-platform, analytics-driven, and tiered network deployment in five U.S. airports. Access point controllers for the airports are deployed in a cloud environment where they can be shared across multiple facilities. The SMART architecture is designed to enable Boingo to offer tiered services to its customers and better manage user traffic while reducing infrastructure costs.
To learn more about Boingo and other operators’ WI-Fi strategies, please visit the Wi-Fi Intelligence Service.
Adlane Fellah, is managing director of WiFi360. Prior to founding the company, the only content marketing agency serving the Wi-Fi industry, Fellah was the founder of Maravedis, a leading analyst firm in the broadband wireless industry. He has authored various landmark reports on LTE, 4G, WiMAX, broadband wireless and voice over IP. He is regularly asked to speak at leading wireless events and to contribute to various influential portals and magazines such as Telephony Magazine, 4G & WiMAX Trends, Fierce Wireless and WiMAX.com, to name a few. Fellah has been a member of the program advisory board for the 4G World conference since 2004 and an active member of the World Communications Association International and the European Broadband Wireless Association. Prior to founding Maravedis, Fellah held various positions at Harris Corporation in charge of market intelligence and business development. Fellah is passionate about best practices of marketing and technology.
